Daft Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 I'm in need of a new desktop and I would like something that was fairly future proof (well, as far as something can be with tech). I'm not really clued up on computers any more. I used to be but for the past 7/8 years I've been content with a laptop since it was predominantly just for word processing and all that turd. Basically, I want something that would be ace at video editing and since I'm wanting a new desktop something that can happily play games. As far as how much I want to spend, well probably about £700 to £1000. I don't want to build the thing myself because I'll only end up killing it somehow so anyone know of a good place that builds custom computers? Any help would be much appreciated. I'm a bit clueless at the moment and only started to look into it a couple days ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shorty Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 If you don't want to build it yourself, I've had good experience with http://pcspecialist.co.uk/ in the past. Although they were not very fast at delivering. Would you not want to build, even if you were provided with the motherboard/cpu/fan already compiled and just had to add a graphics card/case/monitor etc of your choice? Because buy the parts seperately is nearly always better value for money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daft Posted January 9, 2011 Author Share Posted January 9, 2011 I'm not in a major rush for it so slow delivery isn't too big an issue. How easy is it to sort out and connect the graphics card (and sound card?) after the motherboard/cpu/fan have been sorted? Is the difference in cost big? I've not had any experience, last desktop I bought was just off the shelf so this sounds pretty daunting (although it probably isn't). Thanks for the fast reply btw! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sméagol Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 Nowadays, the advantage of building your own computer is negligable. If you care about a legitimate Windows license, or support, than your better off with a ready-to-use desktop. Building computers is what you do purely for fun. For that budget you can get a great computer. I say go to your local (web) shop, and get the one that fits your budget, perhaps checking here first to see if the specs here are geared to what you will be using it for, but in general, your top priority should be the videocard. If your into video editing you'll want a mid- to high-end CPU too, although it doesn't need to be best of the best. Every time I see these topics, I just want to go out and buy components and build myself a computer . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daft Posted January 9, 2011 Author Share Posted January 9, 2011 Really? I heard getting a custom built computer was definitely cheaper. And I just realised I have no idea about what parts are worth getting. Any advice people? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sméagol Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 (edited) Do you need / want other hardware like mouse / keyboard / monitor / other stuff? Also: if you're not in a hurry, I would wait untill the exact moment of the next hardware update. I'd wait for those Sandybridge CPU's (the 2600), then get the the best single chip videocard at that moment to match. Edited January 9, 2011 by Sméagol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daft Posted January 9, 2011 Author Share Posted January 9, 2011 Yeah, I need those three. I've got a monitor but I want a widescreen one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sméagol Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 Ah, that will seriously put a dent in your budget then . You can skimp on the mouse & keyboard, but the monitor will cost you around € 200,- (£ 150,-?). And in case you missed my edit, I'd wait at least untill the next hardware update if you're not in a hurry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daft Posted January 9, 2011 Author Share Posted January 9, 2011 Yeah, I'm good to leave the monitor for a later time. Just read your edit and I have very little idea what it means. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nolan Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 His edit means that Intel is about to release their new Processors know by their Sandy Bridge codename. They're set to release at a good price for the amount of performance they give, which is excellent performance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daft Posted January 9, 2011 Author Share Posted January 9, 2011 Ah, cool. When you say 'about to release', how much time are we speaking? Like I said, I'm not in a rush but I don't want to wait for ages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nolan Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 Should be imminent. All the various sites have posted their reviews, which doesn't happen until the chips are about to release. In fact, they're for sale already in the US so the UK can't be far behind if they aren't already being sold. Sandy Bridge being identified as Core i5 2300-2500 and Core i7 2600. There are variations within the models some have letters, the letters mean something but I don't know what. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daft Posted January 9, 2011 Author Share Posted January 9, 2011 Sweet. Thanks for the heads up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McPhee Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 (edited) They launched at Midnight this morning. The letters after the product numbers mean that chip isn't a bog-standard Sandy Bridge. The 'K' models are enthusiast chips, unlocked for overclocking and with a better in-built GPU (though at present you can only overclock or use the GPU, depending on motherboard). The 'S' models are low-power, built with energy efficiency in mind. I can't remember what 'T' is, but I think it's only for the corporate market anyways. There shouldn't be any problem getting the whole lot in for under a grand including a decent monitor, keyboard and mouse. Will have a dig around and see what I can come up with (do you want prices for building it yourself? Or just for pre-built?). Edited January 9, 2011 by McPhee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wesley Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 I'd second PCSpecialist. We use them at work and they're awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daft Posted January 9, 2011 Author Share Posted January 9, 2011 They launched at Midnight this morning. The letters after the product numbers mean that chip isn't a bog-standard Sandy Bridge. The 'K' models are enthusiast chips, unlocked for overclocking and with a better in-built GPU (though at present you can only overclock or use the GPU, depending on motherboard). The 'S' models are low-power, built with energy efficiency in mind. I can't remember what 'T' is, but I think it's only for the corporate market anyways. There shouldn't be any problem getting the whole lot in for under a grand including a decent monitor, keyboard and mouse. Will have a dig around and see what I can come up with (do you want prices for building it yourself? Or just for pre-built?). Good timing. That's good to know about the model letters. I'll happily build it myself if it's not too complicated and there's basically no risk of me breaking something. But if there's something just as good that's pre-built then might as well look at that. (Tbh, I'm not too sure what the building involves. Soldering? Yeah, no clue.) Some recommendations would be absolutely amazing. I don't want you to go out of your way, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McPhee Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 There's a starting point for you To be honest that rig is rediculously powerful as it is, there's no real need to go for anything higher unless you want to overclock or run the most demanding games on the market at 1080p with all the eye candy turned on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daft Posted January 9, 2011 Author Share Posted January 9, 2011 Ah, sweet! (I'm out of thanks but you get a mega load of them) What site is that from? That's ridonkulously cheap. How tricky would it be to put it together? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wesley Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 You can put a PC together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daft Posted January 9, 2011 Author Share Posted January 9, 2011 It's like lego, right? Just slot stuff in. Sorry for the lame n00b questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nolan Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 It's like lego, right? Just slot stuff in. Sorry for the lame n00b questions. More or less to an extent. Things like RAM or GPU are simply slotting them into the correct slots. The CPU has a few more steps. Mainly that you'll have to apply thermal compound in an even layer for better heat conductivity to the heatsink. There is also mounting heatsink and motherboard itself. The truly hardest bit is cable management. Keeping them nice and neat looking or hidden, also having the occasional head scratch as to where a particular cable is meant to go. Have a look on youtube though, loads of good tutorial videos. Watch those and see if you can handle it yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wesley Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 Yeah man you'll be fine. You're a smart guy. I have confidence in you. Plus like Nolan said there are plenty of resources for this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McPhee Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 (edited) A little out of date on the components front, but good advice and the build process is still the same. Just take it as what it is, a rough demo rather than a walkthrough. EDIT: I used Scan to build the basket. Can't get much cheaper, buying the 2400, motherboard, graphics card and PSU myself and can only shave a few quid off shopping around. The motherboard is a couple of quid cheaper at eBuyer, and the CPU a few quid less at Overclockers, other than that those are the best prices about. Double Edit: http://www.scan.co.uk/products/1gb-zotac-gtx-460-se-3400mhz-gddr5-gpu-680mhz-shader-clock-1360mhz-336-cores-dl-dvi-mhdmi-dp Probably worth the extra few quid. Edited January 9, 2011 by McPhee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daft Posted January 9, 2011 Author Share Posted January 9, 2011 (edited) Awesome, guys. Thanks a load! I definitely feel more confident about putting it together myself now. One question, connecting the cables looks potentially complicated. Is it? I assume the parts come with instructions. Also, cases. What exactly should I look out for in one? They all seem the same to me. Would like one that looks cool, though. Is that graphics card good Phee? I'd like something that can run everything out now and in the near future with ease (I don't mind spending a little more). Also (sorry, another question) I saw on pcspecialt.co.uk that you can order a computer with two graphics cards. Is it possible to have two working together? Just curious, really. Edited January 10, 2011 by Daft I'm being super dumb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nolan Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 (edited) http://www.scan.co.uk/products/1gb-zotac-gtx-460-se-3400mhz-gddr5-gpu-680mhz-shader-clock-1360mhz-336-cores-dl-dvi-mhdmi-dp Probably worth the extra few quid. A 1GB version is worth the extra, but the SE version is slightly weaker. It has fewer shaders and a lower clock. In terms of gaming, it's not that much slower than the 768MB version, but it is slower. This varies from game to game and on occasion it'll even be slightly faster (these instances are when the extra memory is more useful than shading power). http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gainward/GeForce_GTX_460_SE/ http://www.scan.co.uk/products/1gb-pny-gtx-460-3600mhz-gddr5-gpu-675mhz-shader-clock-1350mhz-336-cores-2-x-dl-dvi-i-mini-hdmi That Zotac 460SE has a incorrect description. It clearly states being 680 (which is higher than a regular 460 core clock) and it says it has the full suite of 336 cores. It's a sad thing the SE came out really. Before it did, the 460 series had much lower prices, it seems that SE drove them back upto MSRP. Edit, Yes it is possible to have 2 GPUs working in tandem. AMD/ATI have Crossfire and Nvidia calls it SLI. However while there are performance gains this setup can come with it's own set of problems. Sometimes worse performance, up to the game not running. In a case, large (at least mid tower preferably full tower) good airflow (read reviews to determine that), dust filters, and a bottom mounted PSU. Having the PSU on the bottom keeps the weight on the bottom and helps to lower the center of gravity which is generally nice. If you don't mind spending more on the GPU, certainly look into what is certain to not be a SE version of the 460. Alternatively aroudn the same performance is the AMD 6850. The two really are neck and neck and the cheapest is what I'd say go for. Edited January 9, 2011 by Nolan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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